Flushing valve mechanism



w. A. LESTER 2,0@L390 FLUSHING VALVE MECHANISM Filed July '7, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ay i4, 1935. w. A. LESTER 2mm@ FLUSHING VALVE MECHANISM Filed July 7, 1934 2 sheets-sheet 2 INI/ENTOR. w21/mw @uw ATTORN S.

Patented May 14, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

This invention relates to a flushing valve and -particularly to a means whereby the amount` of water used for flushing a toilet bowl, or the like, may be controlled.

Practically all toilet bowls in use today are equipped with a flushing tank and a valve mechanism whereby the ow of water from the tank to the bowl is controlled. The quantity of water used in each ushing operation is considerable as the amount of water employed must not only be sulcient to completelyfiush the bowl but must also be sufficient to assist in carrying matter removed from the bowl through the sewer pipes connected therewith.

The same quantity of water, usually from six to eight gallons, passes through the bowl during each flushing operation and is a source of considerable waste as only a small amount of water will suilcein many instances; for instance, if the bowl is used for urination only, or if a person merely expectorates into the bowl, or throws a cigarette stub, or the like, therein, the amount of water used for ushing could obviously be very materially reduced and considerable saving of water would result.

The object of the present invention is generally to improve and simplify the construction and operation of flushing valves, and particularly to provide a valve and an actuating mechanism therefor whereby the amount of water used in the flushing operation may be varied.

The ushing valve and the mechanism actuating the same is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a central vertical section of the flushing tank, said view showing a major portion of the valve actuating mechanism in side elevation.

Fig. 2 is a detail view and side elevation par? tially in Vsection of the mechanism whereby the main flushing lever is actuated, said view'showing the position assumed by said mechanism when the bowl is to be partially flushed.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the position of the actuating mechanism when the bowl is to be fully ushed.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on line V--V of Fig. 1, showing the manually controlled actuating handle and a portion of the mechanism actuated thereby.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the valve rod gripping clutch.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the bell crank whereby the tripping clutch is actuated.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the float actuated lever whereby the bell crank shown in Fig. 7 is operated.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly Figs. 1 and 2, A indicates a flushing tank of suitable size and make, in the bottom of which 1s securedan outlet or flushing pipe 2 which is connected at its lower end with a toilet bowl, or the like, in any suitable manner. The upper end of the flushing pipe terminates in a valve seat 3 to receive a valve B, whereby the flow of flushing water is controlled. Formed just below the valve seat 3 is a conduit or side extension 4 ad supported thereby is a standard form of overflow pipe 5. Adapted to be slipped over the upper end of the pipe 5 is a bracket 6 which is secured at any desired elevation with relation to the valve seat by means of a clamping screw l. The outer end of the bracket is fork-shaped, as shown, to form a. pair of guide bearings 8 and 9 through which extends a vertically disposed valve rod I0. 'Ihis rod has a snug flt in the bearings 8 and 9 and serves as a support for the valve B, there being a ball and socket connection II between the rod and the valve as will hereinafter be more fully described.

The bracket 6 serves several functions: first that of a guide for the valve rod I0; secondly, it functions as a support for a gripping lever or clutch generally indicated at I2; third, it functions as a support for a bell crank generallyv indicated at I3; and fourth, it functions as a pivotal support for a oat actuated lever I4. The lever I4 pivots on a pin or a like bearing member I5 secured at one side of the bracket. It is provided with an extended arm or rod I6v on the outer end of which is secured a float I'I. The bell crank I3 is arcuate at one end and an arcuate slot I8 is formed therein. A clamping screw I9 extends through the slot and the arm I and forms a means whereby the bell crank and the arm I4 may be secured with relation to each other so as to function as one lever. The clamping screw I9 and the slot I8 form an adjustable connection between the two levers whereby the position of the levers with respect to each other may be changed, this being important as the amount of water employed during the partial flushing is regulated thereby as will hereinafter appear.

The other arm of the bell crank I3 extends in a downward direction and carries a crank pin 20 and this pin is engageable with the free end of the gripping arm or clutch I 2. This arm is nothing more or less than a flat strip of metal bent in the shape shown. Its outer end terminates in a hook 2| and this hook forms a pivotal support for the gripping lever. The valve rod l extends therethrough and when the gripping lever is free with relation to the crank pin 20 it assumes an angular position and as such grips and clutches the rod, but when the free end of the gripping lever is raised by the crank pin' 20 the gripping alction is released and the valve and rod are free to move vertically in a downward direction. The hooked end of the gripping arm is slotted and a pin 22 extends therethrough. The pin and slot cooperate to guide the gripping arm and to' secure it against lateral movement. Sufilce it to say, that the clutch. or gripping lever as illustrated is disposed below the bracket and engages the valve rod I0 at a point below the bracket. 'Ihe pivotal point 2| of the gripping lever is disposed above the point of contact with the rod and the free end of the gripping lever, which is actuated by the crank pin 20, is also disposed at a point above the contact between the lever and rod.

During the operation of flushing the toilet bowl it is necessary to lift the valve B with relation to its seat. It is the purpose of the present invention to lift the valve to assume `two positions, the rst position indicated by dotted lines at B', and the second positionindicated by dotted lines at B". When the valve is raised to the position indicated at B' the water contained in the ilushing tank will only be partially released and this will be termed partial flushing operation, but when the valve is raised to the position indicated at B" the water in the tank will be substantially discharged and this will be known as full ushing operation. In view of the fact that the valve is raised from a seat to assume either one or another of the positions shown, mechanism for raising the valve into either of these positions must be provided.

The mechanism employed in the present instance comprises a lever 24, which is pivotally mounted as at 25, on a bracket arm 26. A wire link 21 connects one end ofsaid lever with the upper end of the rod, said rod being provided with a stop shoulder or head 28 with which the lower end of the wire link engages when the valve lifting lever 24 is raised. Extending through the side wall of the tank, see Fig. 5, is a bearing bushing 29 of standard construction having the bracket arm 26 formed integrally with its inner end. Extending therethrough is a rotatable rod 30 on the outer end of which is secured a manually controlled operating handle 3|. It should be noted that while the rod 20 is square to facilitate themaking of non-rotatable connections atits ends, it passes through a round bore in the bushing 29 so that it is free to rotate therein. The rod 30 may, of course, be rounded where it passes through the bushing, if desired, but the construction shown is preferred because it is less expensive and because there is no necessity for a perfect bearing surface between the rod and the bushing. Secured on the inner end of the rod is a crank arm 32, see Figs. 1,2, 3, and 5, and connecting said crank with the free end of the lever 24 is a link 33, hence if the lever 3| is` grasped and swung in one directionor another, a turning movement will be transmitted to the rod 30 and this will, in turn, swing the crank 32 and as it swings the crank will exert a pull on the link 33 and thereby impart a rocking movement to the lever 24, causing the link 21 to engage the shoulder or head 28 of the valve rod and lift it, together with the valve, away from the seat 3. The handle 3| shown in the present instance is known as a twoway handle, as it may be swlmg from a vertical position to either side. This is important i the present instance as when the handle 3| is swung to one slde the valve will be lifted to the partial flushing position shown at B and when swung to the other side the valve will be lifted to the full flushing position indicated at B". This is accomplished as follows.

By referring to Fig. 1, the position of the operating handle 3 |V and the crank 32 actuated thereby are shown as normal or inoperative position. By swinging the arm'3l in the direction of arrow c, the crank 32 will swing in the same direction and the swinging movement will be limited by a stop lug 34 when this engages the underside of the arm or lever 24. By thus limiting the swinging movement the lever 24 is merely rocked suinciently to lift the valve to the partial ushing position indicated at B'. On the other hand, if the arm 3| is grasped and swung in. the direction of arrow d, crank 32 will swing in the same direction, the lever 24 will again be rocked on its pivot,

but to a greater degree, its rocking movement being, however, limited by the stop shoulder 35 of crank 32 engaging the underside of the lever 24. When the arm 3| has been swung to its limit the valve will have been raised to the position indicated at B" and this will insure a. full or complete flushing operation.

The present mechanism accordingly provides a manually controlled actuating mechanism whereby valve B may be selectively raised to assume either one or another of two positions. 'I'his manually actuated means for selectively raising the valve being the handle 3|,the crank arm 32, link 33, lever 24, and the wire link 2l. Whenever the valve is raised to one position or the other it will be automatically retained in its raised position by means of the gripping lever or clutch |2, as this hangs free on its pivotal or fulcrum support 2| and as such automatically grips or clutches the rod and prevents the valve from returning to its seat. Means are accordingly provided for automatically retaining' the valve in either of its raised positions when it has been manually raised.

It is now necessary to provide means for releasing the valve from either position so that it may properly close after the partial ilushing operation or a full flushing operation. The means employed in the present instance is automatically actuated by means of the float I1. For instance, if the valve has been raised to the partial ushing position indicated at B' it will be retained in this position by the gripping lever or clutch I2 but as the water runs out through the outlet connection 2 the water level will rapidly decrease, iioat |'l will drop with it until it assumes the dotted line position indicated at Ila. This dropping movement of the iioat is transmitted as a swinging movement to the-arms |3 and 4 and the crank pin 2B will, accordingly, swing to a position -where it will engage the free end of the gripping arm or lever 'I2 and trip it, thus releasing the rod and permitting proper closing of the Avalve at the end of the partial ushing operation.

On the other hand, if the valve is raised to the full flushing position shown at B" it will again be automatically retained by the gripping lever or clutch |2 and it will again be released when oat I1 reaches the position shown at Ila, but the valve will not close in this instance until the tankhasbeensubstantiallyushedasitwilloat or gradually settle as the water level becomes lower and lower during the discharge of the water, and 'it will not close 4until it substantially reaches the valve seat when it is pulled forcibly against the seat by the suction of the discharging water. In this connection it is important to point out that the valve indicated at B is only when raised to the position indicated at B" it will be out of the range of such suction action and will not be pulled by suction against the seat until the water level has reached such a low point as to affect it. The eiiiciency of a ushing operation depends upon the force and volume of water delivered to the bowl; that is, as large a volume as possible should be delivered to the bowl in a short period of time and with a sudden rush. To accomplish this the valve B must be lifted a sufficient distance above the outlet to permit the water in the tank to freely discharge. If a buoyant valvel should be employed it would be impossible to lift it sufficiently high to permit a free discharge as the valve would have to remain in the immediate zone of suction produced by the discharging water to prevent it from floating to the surface, but by employing a valve which is only partially or barely buoyant as here disclosed it becomes possible to lift the valve sufiiciently high to permit a rapid free discharge during the iiushing operation, as the valve may be raised to a considerably higher point-in the zone of suction without any tendency to float to the surface.

The swivel joint formed between the rod l and the valve B is also important, particularly when practical conditions are considered. For instance, if the valve and actuating mechanism here shown is being put out by a. manufacturer, bracket 6 will obviously be designed so that the valve stem Ill will align with/the center of the discharge or outlet connection 2. However, it happens that ushing tanks, outlet connections, actuating mechanisms of different types are made by numerous manufacturers. The dimensions of the parts are not standardized, hence there will be variations -in the distance between the pipe and the center line of the outlet connection 2. This may vary as much as one-half inch or more, hence if the mechanism here shown is installed on existing devices allowance must be made for such variations in dimensions and this is taken care of by the ball and swivel connection shown, which accordingly permits proper seating of the valve regardless of whether the valve rod I0 aligns with the outlet connection 2 or not.

The filling valve and the float actuating the same are only partially illustrated at E in Fig. .4. Its construction and operation does not interfere with the construction and operation of the ilushing'vaive and its actuating mechanism here illustrated and for that reason only a partial illustration of the illling valve and its actuating mechanism is shown. Sumce it to say, that when the tank is being partially or fully flushed by the mechanism here illustrated the water level will rapidly lower, the float of the filling valve will obviously drop with the lowering water level and as such open the filling valve and the amount of water discharged during a partial or full flushing operation will automatically be replaced when the valve B is closed.

The main feature of the present invention is that of saving Water. .This is exceedingly important in many localities as the water is scarce and often expensive. Water is saved by being capable of only partially discharging the flushing tank and it is also saved by not completely emptying the tank during the full ushing operation, that is, valve-B will seat during the full flushing operation before the tank is completely empty, as due to its only partially bouyant condition it will be sucked against the seat before the tank is empty; hence preventing all the water from discharging and thus saving this additional amount during each full flushing operation.

While certain features of the present invention are more or less specifically described, I Wish it understood that various changes may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims. Similarly, that the materials and nish of the several parts employed may be such as the manufacturer may decide, or varyingconditions y 'and means to release said clutch member.

2. In combination with a flush valve having a stein and a bracket to receive and guide said stem, a clutch member pivoted to said bracket and having a hole therein embracing the stem whereby it will clutch the valve against closing movement, and means for moving said clutch member to a non-clutching position.

3. I n a flush tank, the combination with a flush valve having a stem and a bracket to guide said stem, of a clutch carried by said bracket to retain the valve in a partially open position, and a iloat device supported by said bracket and operable upon lowering of the liquid level in the tank to release said clutch.

4. In a flush tank, the combination with a flush valve` having a stem and a bracket forming a guide for said stem, of a clutch comprising a member perforated to embrace the stem and pivoted on the said bracket to grip the stem when the valve is raised and retain it in a position within the zone of suction caused by liquid flowing through the valve, a lever pivoted to the said bracket and engageable with the clutch member to release it, and -a float on said lever whereby the clutch will be released upon a predetermined lowering of the liquid level in the tank.

5. In a flush tank comprising the usual ush opening and overflow tube adjacent thereto, and having a iiush valve closing said opening and including a valve stem guided in a bracket secured to the overflow tube. a clutch member pivoted to saidbracket and engageable with the valve stem to prevent closing of the valve when it has been raised to less than its full open position, a float, a lever supporting said iloat and pivoted relative to said bracket, and means controlled by the lever for releasing said clutch member to permit closing of the valve upon a predetermined lowering of the liquid level in the tank.

WARREN A. LESTER. 

